Schoolboys protest

Direct action for social change has a long history at all levels of society but such achievement is particularly noteworthy when young people are involved as they were in the late 19th century to obtain recreational facilities for the schoolboys of Bourne.

In 1890, the boys from both the grammar and the board schools were dissatisfied because they had no open space where they could play football and cricket and after several months of protest without result, decided to take their complaint direct to Westminster by approaching their newly elected Member of Parliament, Henry Cust, who represented the Stamford division which also included Bourne.

They drew up a petition which was handed to his local agent who sent it on to the House of Commons saying: "Will you be so good as to try to get us boys a recreation ground? We have no field where we can play cricket or football or anything. No one cares for us, like they do for the boys of Sleaford and Stamford who have just had a jolly playground given to them. We know a fine level piece of ground just like a park. We should be glad if you would help us to get that and we do hope we shall not be disappointed."

The petition had immense public support and the local newspaper reported on Friday 2nd May: "The rising generation at Bourne are not minded to be behind the times. They have adopted the time-honoured plan of their elders in bringing their 'want' under the notice of the member. On Saturday, the petition, signed by some scores of them, was duly presented and the enterprise of the youngsters deserves to be rewarded with success. A convenient recreation ground for them would prove an inestimable boon."

A few days later Mr Cust replied from the House of Commons saying: "I entirely agree that you ought if possible to have a good grass field near the town where you can play your cricket and football and other games together, and I will do all I can to help you get one. Parliament makes plenty of laws to see that you work hard and get lots of schooling but I think myself that it is quite important, if you are to grow up into sturdy Englishmen, that you should play hard and get plenty of exercise for your arms and legs. I hope, as long as you are boys, you will pay just as much attention to the rules of cricket as you do to the game of life. I will set about doing what you wish at once and perhaps something may be able to be arranged by Whit Monday, when I hope to come to Bourne."

The letter was read out next day to a meeting of the boys that had been called in the grounds of the grammar school by one of the senior pupils and was greeted with loud cheers all round.

Mr Cust was as good as his word. On Thursday 20th May, he took a train to Bourne to make inquiries about a suitable piece of land that could be used as a recreation ground and by the time he returned to London, a committee comprising interested and influential townspeople had been formed and several venues were under discussion. The newspaper reported: "It is expected that arrangements will be made by Monday for the ground being thrown open free for the use of the boys of Bourne."

The following Monday was Whit Monday and a public holiday but the committee had been speedy in its deliberations and had arranged with local farmer Henry Goodyear for the boys to use Hereward's Field, an area of grassland covering ten acres next to St Peter’s Pool to the west of Bourne. Mr Cust arrived from London at noon and was met at the railway station, then based at the Red Hall in South Street, by a large crowd of boys all cheering and shouting. They then paraded through the town to their new recreation ground, headed by the Bourne Town Brass Band with Mr Cust, Mr Goodyear and members of the committee following in a wagonette and on arrival, there were speeches of congratulation that the objective had been achieved in such a short time.

"It is a great pleasure that the needs of the lads have been met", said Mr Goodyear. "I hope they will grow up healthy and strong and become good cricketers into the bargain." Mr Cust thanked Mr Goodyear for making the recreation ground possible. "It is through his kindness and of others, that the boys of this town will now have a good field in which to play their games", he said.

"Cricket is a manly game and I hope I will be present when the boys play their first match and win. I therefore declare this recreation ground open and hope that the boys of Bourne will for many years enjoy the benefits to be derived from it." The boys responded with hearty cheers and then settled down to a game of cricket in which Mr Cust joined them for a short spell.

This tale from 130 years ago is, therefore, not only a heartening example of help from on high but also an illustration of how speedily things could be done in those days before our local affairs became bogged down by a burgeoning bureaucracy.

Hereward’s Field continued in use until 1911 when the present ground in Recreation Road was opened to mark the coronation of King George V. The land adjoining the Wellhead Gardens was subsequently purchased by Bourne United Charities in 1945 for preservation as an open space known today as the Wellhead Field which has become a popular venue for community events.

The recent success of the charity Bourne2Play in establishing a new children’s play area at the Wellhead Field is an encouraging sign that the community spirit demonstrated in 1890 is alive and well in this town and that anything may be achieved given sufficient goodwill, voluntary effort and public involvement.